I have really enjoyed watching makeup trends change and evolve over the past decade. With social media, makeup tutorials have become increasingly popular, globalizing techniques, trends, products, and brands. Although I find myself lost in a black hole of makeup tutorials on Facebook and YouTube, I know very little about anything makeup-related.
I have never been one to chat about the upcoming release of new makeup products or the quality of a palette’s pigments. I own one eye-shadow palette, which was gifted to me, and I use the same 3 (out of about 30) colors. I don’t even know who (or what?) Anastasia is. I once tried to switch things up and put on a rose gold-ish eye-shadow. When my boyfriend saw me, he asked me if I was having an allergic reaction to something.
Last year I thought it would be a good idea to jump on the ‘thick-brow’ bandwagon and start filling in my eyebrows. While walking around Edinburgh I passed Bobbi Brown (a brand which I know zero about) and I begged my mom to buy me an eyebrow pencil . . . for £30. After this extravagant purchase, I quickly realized that thicker eyebrows dramatize my ever-present resting b*tch face. The poor pencil hasn’t been touch in MONTHS.
I probably sound like that girl who wears makeup so rarely that when she does, all of her friends make a big deal about it, But alas, this is not the case at all. I have been wearing makeup nearly every day since I was about 13. I went through the heavy eyeliner phase and the your-face-doesn’t-match-your-neck phase. Now that I am older, and wiser, and wear foundation appropriate for my skin tone, I have determined that less is more (for myself at least, I love glam on others and truly envy their skills!!). I apply my makeup very quickly and do not like any unwanted effort. The four main components of my makeup routine are (1) finishing powder, (2) blush, (3) mascara, and (4) tinted lip balm. I have decided not to include foundation or concealer because choosing to use either just depends on the coverage that you like! But I do use both.
(I am not recommending a specific brand or product, just the element of makeup in general!!)
#1 Finishing Powder
If you wear foundation, finishing powder keeps your makeup intact all day and gives your skin a smooth matte finish. If you don’t wear foundation, finishing powder is great at eliminating and preventing shine!! I use NYX Professional Makeup Studio Finishing Powder – Translucent Finish.
#2 Blush
I.love.to.wear.blush. I truly see a dramatic, yet subtle, difference before and after I apply blush. I am transformed from a sickly, vitamin D-deprived university student, into a radiant and sun-kissed healthy human. I use NYX Professional Makeup High Definition Blush.
#3 Mascara
The only component of my makeup routine that I like more than blush is mascara. Whether I choose to wear eyeliner or not, mascara is always a necessity. I find that simply adding a touch of mascara to my lashes wakens my eyes and adds a bit of dimension to my face (is this even a thing??).
I use Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Blackest Black 12.5ml.
#4 Tinted Lip Balm
Tinted lip balm is great because it keeps your lips hydrated and glossy, while effortlessly adding natural-looking color and radiance to your face (just like blush). It is so easy!! I use Revlon Kiss Balm.
Photo links:
Finishing powder →
https://wellness42.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/smooth-skin.jpg
Mascara → https://media.wmagazine.com/photos/59c149eeb64b682bf738f22a/master/pass/cover.jpg
Tinted lip balm →